Individual room duct and ventilation system for livestock production building

ABSTRACT

A duct and ventilation system for livestock production buildings. The building comprises a plurality of containment rooms for livestock, a pit beneath the room, an attic above the rooms, a ventilation duct for each room and a ventilation house coupled to the pit. The containment rooms have slatted floors. The attic includes a vent. Each ventilation duct includes a manually actuable air flow control valve. The ventilation house includes an exhaust fan and is adapted to draw air through the vent and through the attic to one of the ventilation ducts and into one of the rooms through the slatted floor and out via the ventilation house. The building may include a manifold area adjacent the rooms and in fluid communication with the attic. Ventilation ducts comprise a laminar polymer sheet having a generally rectangular shape and forming a corner generally parallel to first and second side edges, a second laminar and planar polymer sheet having a first edge and a second edge, and a plurality of brackets. The first edge of the second sheet attaches to the first sheet such that the second sheet is substantially parallel to the corner. The brackets position the first sheet and the second sheet in the room.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to livestock production buildings and moreparticularly deals with production building ventilation and temperaturecontrol systems.

2. Background Art

The optimum feeding and finishing conditions for livestock andparticularly hogs and pigs are a function of the total environment inwhich they live. Therefore, proper temperature and ventilation controlare important to their growth, health and welfare. These same conditionsare necessary to provide a comfortable and healthy working environmentfor the animal caretakers.

Additionally, it is important to provide cooling air to reduce orprevent temperature stress on the livestock. However, it is alsoimportant to avoid dramatic temperature changes which may in itselfcause temperature shock or stress to the livestock. Therefore, as wellas controlling the rate, velocity and direction it is important tofacilitate the tempering of cooler intake air before it comes intocontact with the livestock. During periods of hot weather, thecombination of air temperature and the heat produced by the livestockrequires a substantial volume of cooling air. The optimal ambientcondition depends on the number, type and age of the livestock in thebuilding, for example, younger and smaller pigs will require lesscooling air because they put off less body heat and are not as closelyconfined.

Little cooling air is required during cold weather. Nevertheless minimalventilation is still required to remove moisture and for the health ofthe livestock and the workers. Under cold weather conditions a minimumfresh air supply is required but the temperature of the fresh air mustbe controlled to prevent temperature shock to the livestock. This freshair must also be evenly distributed throughout the pig space.

Current livestock ventilation apparatus have many inadequacies primarilydue to the fact that ventilation apparatus merely draw a ventilating airflow through the buildings. Such apparatus failed to properly controlthe air flow velocity, rate and distribution of the incoming fresh air.

One known prior art apparatus discloses an animal production buildingwith pit ventilation through a slatted floor using both intake andexhaust fan. Air is accumulated in the attic and is pushed and pulledthrough the ceiling past the animals into the pit.

Another known prior art apparatus discloses a livestock consignmenthouse having a slatted floor, a disposal pit, and a reversible fan inthe roof such that air can be pushed or pulled past the animals throughthe pit.

Yet another known prior art apparatus discloses a building ventilationsystem using pit ventilations having a plurality of openings in theceiling which are selectively controlled by mechanically complex movablebaffle device.

One problem with the existing livestock production buildings relates tothe conditioning of the intake air. Often the blending and mixing ofintake air fails to provide a constant temperature range or blends staleair with incoming fresh air.

Another problem with the existing livestock production buildings is theinability to individually control the ventilation for each of the roomsin the building except with multiple controllers and sensors.

Still another problem is the inability to distribute fresh air evenlyand completely throughout the environment especially at minimumventilation rates causing dead or stale air spots in the room.

Another problem of the current livestock production buildings relates tothe uneven air flow in individual rooms especially at minimumventilation rates.

Still another problem of the current livestock production buildings isthe use of complex mechanical devices that will require maintenance.

Another problem of the current livestock production buildings is theloss of building heat with the exhaust air during cold weather.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for individual room ventilation andtemperature control in a livestock production building with pitventilation having a manifold area and/or manually actuable air flowcontrol valve and ventilation ducts for each room.

The livestock production building of the present invention includes atleast one ventilation house, an attic, a manifold area, a livestockcontainment area, and a pit below the livestock containment area. Theventilation house contains exhaust fans that pull intake air into theattic which is then provided to the manifold area. The manifold areaallows the mixing and tempering of the intake air to a constanttemperature before distributing the air to the livestock containmentarea. The livestock containment area includes a plurality of containmentrooms, each having their own manually controllable flow valve. Eachcontainment room includes a ventilation duct or ducts coupled to theflow control valve. The air from the ventilation ducts is distributedover the animals and pulled into the pit. The air in the pit isexhausted by the fans in the ventilation house. The ventilation housemay also includes a heat exchanger directly coupled to the manifold areafor use in colder weather.

One advantage of the present invention is the provision of a manifoldarea for tempering and mixing of the intake air to a constanttemperature using all fresh air.

Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of manuallyactuable air flow control valve for each room to allow control of theventilation in individual rooms depending upon the size and age of thelivestock therein.

Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of aventilation duct or ducts in each room for evenly distributing the airflow in the room.

Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a ductsystem to carry and distribute fresh air evenly and completelythroughout the environment.

Still another advantage of the present invention is the provision of asystem free of mechanical actuators that require substantialmaintenance.

Another advantage of the present invention is the use of one controllerfor a multiple room building.

Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a heatrecovery system that is integrated into the ventilation system. The heatrecovery system is designed for minimal maintenance and long life.

The present invention provides a livestock production buildingcomprising a plurality of containment rooms for livestock, a pit beneaththe room, an attic above the room, a ventilation duct for each room anda ventilation house coupled to the pit. The containment rooms haveslatted floors. The attic includes a vent. Each ventilation ductincludes a manually actuable air flow control valve. The ventilationhouse includes an exhaust fan and is adapted to draw air through thevent and into the attic to one of the ventilation ducts and into therooms through the slatted floor and out via the ventilation house.

The present invention also provides a livestock production buildingcomprising a containment room for livestock, a pit beneath the room, anattic above the room, a ventilation duct coupled to the attic todistribute air to the room, and a ventilation house coupled to the pit.The containment room has slatted floors. The attic includes a vent. Theventilation duct defines a plurality of separate air passages whichinclude a plurality of openings allowing air to flow into the room. Theventilation house includes an exhaust fan and is adapted to draw airthrough the vent and into the attic to one of the ventilation ducts andthen to the room through the slatted floor and out via the ventilationhouse.

The present invention also provides a livestock production buildingcomprising a plurality of containment rooms for livestock, a pit beneaththe room, an attic above the room, a manifold area adjacent the room andinclude communication with the attic, a ventilation duct in each of therooms to distribute air within the rooms and in fluid communication withthe manifold area, and a ventilation house coupled to the pit. Thecontainment rooms have slatted floors. The attic includes a vent. Theventilation house includes an exhaust fan and is adapted to draw airthrough the vent and into the attic, then into the manifold area to oneof the ventilation ducts and into one of the rooms through the slattedfloor and out via the ventilation house.

The present invention provides a duct for providing air distribution ina room having walls and a ceiling. The duct comprises first and secondlaminar polymer sheets and a plurality of brackets. The first polymersheet has a generally rectangular shape and forms a comer generallyparallel to the first and second side edges. The second polymer sheethas a first edge and a second edge with the first edge attached to thefirst polymer sheet such that the second sheet is substantially parallelto the comer. The brackets position the first sheet and the second sheetin the room.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above mentioned and other features and objects of this invention,and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and theinvention itself will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription of the embodiments of the invention taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional end view of the inventive livestock productionbuilding showing the air flow in warm weather;

FIG. 2 is a top plan sectional view of the livestock production buildingtaken along view lines 2—2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of a containment room of FIGS. 1 and 2as seen from inside the room;

FIG. 4A is a side view of a containment room from the manifold area withone panel of the air flow control valve completely open;

FIG. 4B is a side view of a containment room from the manifold area withone panel of the air flow control valve completely open and a secondpanel half open;

FIG. 4C is a side view of a containment room from the manifold area withtwo panels of the air flow control valve completely open;

FIG. 5 is a top plan sectional view taken along view lines 5—5 of FIG.1;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the heat exchanger along view lines 6—6 ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an air duct of the present inventionmounted in a containment room;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the ventilation duct of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of a ventilation duct attachedto a wall and ceiling;

FIG. 10A is a longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment of aventilation duct attached to a wall;

FIG. 10B is a longitudinal sectional view of a third embodiment of aventilation duct attached to a ceiling;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a heater in the manifold area;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the exterior of a representativeventilation house;

FIG. 13 is a sectional end view of a livestock production buildingshowing the air flow in cold weather;

FIG. 14 is a side view of a representative livestock productionbuilding; and

FIG. 15 is an end view of a representative livestock productionbuilding.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. Although the drawings representembodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not necessarilyto scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to betterillustrate and explain the present invention. The exemplification setout herein illustrates embodiments of the invention, in several forms,and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scopeof the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The embodiment described herein is not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention to the precise form disclosed. Rather the embodiment hasbeen chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention andits applications and practical use to best enable others skilled in theart to follow its teachings.

Referring first to FIG. 1, a livestock production building generallyindicated by reference numeral 10 is shown illustrating the air flowpattern during warm weather. Livestock production building 10 includesattic 20, containment rooms 22, pit 24, manifold area 26, andventilation house 28. Attic 20 includes inlet vents 30 and manifold areavent 38. Containment area 22 includes slatted floors 46 and room vent39. Ventilation house 28 includes exhaust fans 32, pit opening 34, andtemperature sensor 36. Temperature sensor 36 is located proximal pitopening 34 in ventilation house 28 for adaptive control of the exhaust156 air temperature. Temperature sensor 36 may also be located incontainment space 22.

In the hot weather configuration for temperatures in the range of, e.g.,60 to 105° F., fresh air is drawn through inlet vents 30 into attic 20where some mixing and tempering are accomplished. The air is theninduced into manifold area 26 and additional mixing and tempering aredone. The air next is drawn into containment area 22 through room vent39 providing air cooling and fresh air for the livestock (not shown)residing in containment area 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the containmentarea includes a plurality of containment rooms 40. Containment rooms 40may include a plurality of pens 44 and door 42 to manifold area 26. Theair then flows through slatted floors 46 of containment rooms 40 intopit 24 and through pit opening 34 into ventilation houses 28 andexhausted to the outside through exhaust fans 32. Controller 74 whichcontrols exhaust fans 32 with input from temperature sensor 36 is shownin a separate room in livestock production building 10, but can belocated elsewhere as long as controller 74 is operatively coupled toexhaust fans 32.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, each containmentroom 40 includes an air duct to evenly distribute the air over thelivestock in room 40. The sectional view in FIG. 3 shows containmentroom 40 having air ducts 48 running the length of room 40 with three airpassages 50, 51, 53. The air flows into containment room 40 through airducts 48 and air is distributed over the livestock in containment room40 through slatted floor 46 and then pulled out through pit 24 byexhaust fan 32.

Air ducts 48 are shown mounted to the wall and ceiling in the uppercorners of room 40. However, other locations are possible such asmounted only to the wall lower than the present location or mounted onlyto the ceiling located away from the walls. Additional air ducts canalso be added such as one in the center of a room with air ducts on bothsides. The overall size of air ducts 48 will vary due to the size of theroom and the amount of ventilation required.

Air passages 50, 51, 53 are rectangular and vary in sizes with airpassage 50 the smallest and air passage 53 the largest as shown in FIG.9. Each of air passages 50, 51, 53 in FIG. 8 include a plurality ofopenings 70 to allow air to flow into room 40. Air passage 50 includesthe fewest number of openings 70 and air passage 53 includes the mostnumber of openings 70. The higher the number of openings 70, the higherthe flow rate can be. Openings 70 are evenly distributed on each of airpassages 50, 51, 53 to evenly distribute the air in room 40. Openings 70are shown as generally oblong horizontal openings but may take othershapes or orientations due to the application or preferences.

The air flows evenly out of openings 70 because exhaust fan 32 keeps theair pressure in room 40 lower than the air pressure in the operatingpassages of air duct 48. The air at the higher pressure in air duct 48flows evenly out of opening 70 over the livestock in room 40. Therefore,separate air passages allow the distribution of air uniformly under allconditions. When minimal air flow is required only air passage 50 willbe utilized. As seen in FIG. 8, air passage 50 has the least number ofopenings 70 allowing uniform distribution of air in room 40 at low airflow. When higher air flows are required, the other air passages 51, 53can be used separately or together each with an increasing number ofopenings 70 to evenly distribute the air in room 40 at the increasingflow rate.

In FIG. 7, air duct 48 is shown attached to ceiling 96 and wall 94 ofcontainment room 40 and having three passages 50, 51, 53 and a pluralityof air openings 70. Air duct 48 also couples with airflow control valve52 at front wall 92 of containment room 40. Air duct 48 as seen in FIG.8 includes a plurality of air openings 70 each with their own airopening collar 71 for added strength.

FIGS. 9-10B illustrate alternative air ducts depending on theirattachment to either a wall or a ceiling or both. The air ductsdescribed herein are fabricated of a corrosion free fluted polymer, suchas polypropylene, which makes the ducts low cost and lightweight,requiring little support, cleanable, and easily customized. Each duct isengineered and designed for a specific use and purpose with overall ductsize, inlets and outlet sizing very critical to the specificapplications. Since the ducts are lightweight and easily customized,installation is easy requiring fastening brackets to wall and/or ceilingand attaching the ducts to the bracket.

In FIG. 9 air duct 48 is installed to both a wall 94 and ceiling 96. Airduct 48 includes outer sheet 76, divider sheets 80, and brackets 49.Outer sheet 76 is bent to form comer 78 and divider sheets 80 areattached to the outer sheet such that they are parallel to comer 78.Divider sheets 80 have first edge 82 which is bent in an L-shape forattachment to outer sheet 78 using a fastener such as glue, screws,rivets or staples. Brackets 49 are used to attach outer sheet 76 to theceiling and the wall and second edges 84 of divider sheets 80 to thewall. Divider sheets 80 can be added or deleted to create more or fewerair passages. Wall 94 and ceiling 96 form two sides of air duct 48.

In FIG. 10A air duct 88 is attached only to wall 94. Air duct 88includes outer sheet 89, divider sheets 80, and brackets 49. In thiscase outer sheet 89 includes two comers 78 and 86. Divider sheets 80 areagain attached to outer sheet 89 such that they are parallel to comers78, 86. Brackets 49 are again used to attach outer sheet 89 and dividersheets 80 to wall 94. Wall 94 forms one side of air duct 88.

Air duct 90 as seen in FIG. I OB is attached only to ceiling 96. Airduct 90 includes outer sheet 91, divider sheets 80, and brackets 49.Outer sheet 91 is again bent to have two comers 78 and 87. Dividersheets 80 have two edges 82 and 84 which are both bent in an L-shape andboth edges 82 and 84 are attached to outer shell 91 such that they areparallel to comers 78, 87. Brackets 49 are then used to attach outershell 91 to ceiling 96. Ceiling 96 forms one side of air duct 90.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, FIGS. 4Athrough 4C show containment room 40 having airflow control valve 52 tocontrol the environment in room 40 depending on the livestock age, size,and type. Airflow control valve 52 includes three sliding panels 54, 55,57 to control the airflow into passages 50, 51, and 53 of air duct 48.In controlling the air flow into the operating passage, the air pressurein that operating passage is also controlled. When the sliding panel iscompletely closed allowing no air flow into the passage, the pressure inthat passage is approximately that of the pressure in room 40 and no airflows from that passage to room 40. When the sliding panel is completelyopen, the pressure in that operating passage is approximately thepressure in manifold area 26 and the maximum air flow for that airpassage flows out of openings 70 into room 40. When the sliding panel ispartially open, the pressure in the air passage is changed and the airflow out openings 70 ranges from zero to maximum.

The airflow control valve in FIG. 4A shows top sliding panel 54completely open and middle and bottom panels 55 and 57 closed whichwould allow air to flow only into the top air passage 50 of air duct 48.In FIG. 4B the airflow control valve 52 again shows the top slidingpanel 54 completely open and the middle sliding panel 55 partially openthus allowing total airflow into the top air passage 50 of air duct 48and partial airflow into the middle air passage 51 of air duct 48. Theair flow control valve 52 in FIG. 4C shows both top and middle slidingpanels 54 and 55, respectively, completely open allowing total airflowinto the top and middle air passages 50 and 51 of air duct 48. Any ofthe three sliding panels 54, 55, and 57 can be partially or completelyopen. The arrangement of panels 54, 55, and 57 may be varied dependenton the desired temperature and livestock age, size, and type. Door 42provides access to room 40 from manifold area 26.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, ventilation house 28 includes at leastone exhaust fan 32 and, for colder climates, heat exchanger 56. Heatexchanger 56 includes inlet 60, inlet fan 62, a plurality of heatexchanger tubes 66, a plurality of heat exchanger brackets 68 and heatexchanger duct 58. In cold weather, inlet fan 62 pushes air throughtubes 66 and into duct 58 and out through vent 64 into manifold area 26.The air flowing through tubes 66 is warmed by the exhaust air from pit24 traveling through ventilation house 28 and out through exhaust fan32. Now referring to FIG. 11, manifold area 26 may further includeheater 72. Heater 72 is used during cold weather to increase thetemperature of the air in manifold area 26 prior to being distributedthrough air flow control valve 52 into containment room 40.

FIG. 13 illustrates the air flow pattern in cold weather in livestockproduction building. Warmed exhaust air is pulled through heat exchanger56 by exhaust fans 32 and warms heat exchanger 56 and the air drawnthrough tubes 66. Air is pushed into heat exchanger 56 by inlet fan 62through inlet 60. Upon passing through heat exchanger 56, the warmed airwill flow through heat exchanger duct 58 into manifold area 26. The airwill then be distributed to containment rooms 40 and then pulled downover the animals through slatted floor 46 into pit 24 and then outthrough ventilation house 28 through heat exchanger 56 once againwarming the air in heat exchanger 56 and then out through exhaust fan32. In this manner some of the exhausted heat is recovered and used towarm the incoming air.

FIG. 12 shows ventilation house 28 including a plurality of exhaust fans32 of various sizes and winter inlet 60 for heat exchanger 56. Having alarge central fan reduces the amount of operating equipment required,because during winter months only minimal ventilation is needed toremove moisture and a single fan is sufficient for ventilation purposes.Livestock production building 10 as seen in FIGS. 14 and 15 can includea plurality of ventilation houses 28 on each side of building 10.

Controller 74 may utilize temperature sensor 36 to control exhaust fans32, inlet fan 62, and heater 72 to keep the exhaust temperature in anarrow range. In warm weather, controller 74 may regulate the volume ofair exhausted by exhaust fans 32 to cool livestock production building10. In cold weather, controller 74 may utilize inlet fan 62 to push airthrough heat exchanger 56 and/or heater 72 to warm the fresh inlet airof livestock production building 10.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, manifoldarea 26 is used for the mixing/blending and tempering of the incomingair to a uniform temperature. Manifold area 26 receives air from attic20 and/or heat exchanger duct 58. In cold weather, heater 72 can be usedto supplement heating from heat exchanger 56. The air in manifold area26 is then pulled into containment rooms 40 through airflow controlvalve 52 and distributed over the livestock via air ducts 48. Oneadvantage of manifold area 26 is that it is a better and morecontrollable area to blend the air than attic 20 especially when addingheat with heat exchanger 56 or heater 72. Manifold area 26 is insulatedfrom the outside by containment rooms 40, attic 20 and pit 24. The easeof controlling air flow control valve 52 in manifold area 26 is anotheradvantage.

While this invention has been described as having different embodiments,the present invention can be further modified within the spirit andscope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended tocover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using itsgeneral principles. Further, this application is intended to cover suchdepartures from the present disclosure as come within known or customarypractice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fallwithin the limits of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A livestock production building, comprising: aplurality of containment rooms for livestock, said rooms having slattedfloors; a pit beneath said rooms; an attic above said rooms, said atticincluding a vent; a ventilation duct for each of said rooms, each saidventilation duct including a manually actuable airflow control valve;and a ventilation house coupled to said pit, said ventilation houseincluding an exhaust fan and adapted to draw air through said vent andinto said attic, into one of said ventilation ducts and into acorresponding one of said rooms, through a corresponding one of saidslatted floors, and out via said ventilation house.
 2. The livestockproduction building of claim 1, wherein said vent includes an eave vent.3. The livestock production building of claim 1, wherein saidcontainment rooms include a plurality of pens.
 4. The livestockproduction building of claim 1, wherein said airflow control valveincludes a sliding panel for said ventilation duct.
 5. The livestockproduction building of claim 4, wherein said ventilation duct includes aplurality of air passages.
 6. The livestock production building of claim5, wherein said airflow control valve includes said sliding panel foreach of said air passages.
 7. The livestock production building of claim1, wherein said ventilation house includes a temperature sensor locatednear said pit.
 8. The livestock production building of claim 7, furthercomprising a controller, said controller in communication with saidexhaust fan and said temperature sensor.
 9. The livestock productionbuilding of claim 1, wherein said ventilation house includes a heatexchanger.
 10. The livestock production building of claim 9, whereinsaid ventilation house includes an inlet having an intake fan arrangedto blow air through said heat exchanger.
 11. The livestock productionbuilding of claim 9, wherein said heat exchanger includes a plurality oftubes and a plurality of brackets engaging said tubes.
 12. The livestockproduction building of claim 1, further comprising a heater located inthe airflow control valve.
 13. A livestock production building,comprising: a containment room for livestock, said room having a slattedfloor; a pit beneath said room; an attic above said room, said atticincluding a vent; a ventilation duct coupled to said attic to distributeair to said room, said ventilation duct defining a plurality of separateair passages, said passages including a plurality of openings allowingair to flow into said room; and a ventilation house coupled to said pit,said ventilation house including a heat exchanger and an exhaust fan andadapted to draw air through said vent and into said attic, into saidventilation duct and into said room, through said slatted floor, and outvia said ventilation house.
 14. The livestock production building ofclaim 13, wherein said vent includes an eave vent.
 15. The livestockproduction building of claim 13, wherein said containment room include aplurality of pens.
 16. The livestock production building of claim 13,wherein said ventilation house includes a temperature sensor locatednear said pit.
 17. The livestock production building of claim 16,further comprising a controller, said controller in communication withsaid exhaust fan and said temperature sensor.
 18. The livestockproduction building of claim 13, wherein said ventilation house includesan intake fan arranged to blow air through said heat exchanger.
 19. Thelivestock production building of claim 13, wherein said heat exchangerincludes a plurality of tubes and a plurality of brackets engaging saidtubes.
 20. The livestock production building of claim 13, furthercomprising a heat exchanger duct connecting said heat exchanger to saidventilation duct.
 21. The livestock production building of claim 20,further comprising a heater coupled to said heat exchanger duct.
 22. Alivestock production building, comprising: a plurality of containmentrooms for livestock, said rooms having slatted floors; a pit beneathsaid rooms; an attic above said rooms, said attic including a vent; amanifold area adjacent said rooms and in fluid communication with saidattic; a ventilation duct in each of said rooms to distribute air withinsaid rooms and in fluid communication with said manifold area; anairflow control valve for each of said rooms controlling airflow fromsaid manifold area into a respective one of said rooms; and aventilation house coupled to said pit, said ventilation house includingan exhaust fan and adapted to draw air through said vent and into saidattic, then into said manifold area and into one of said ventilationducts and into a corresponding one of said rooms, through acorresponding one of said slatted floors, and out via said ventilationhouse.
 23. The livestock production building of claim 22, wherein saidvent includes an eave vent.
 24. The livestock production building ofclaim 22, wherein said airflow control valve includes a sliding panelfor said ventilation duct.
 25. The livestock production building ofclaim 24, wherein said ventilation duct includes a plurality of airpassages.
 26. The livestock production building of claim 25, whereinsaid airflow control valve includes said sliding panel for each of saidair passages.
 27. The livestock production building of claim 22 whereinsaid containment rooms include a plurality of pens.
 28. The livestockproduction building of claim 22, wherein said ventilation house includesa temperature sensor located near said pit.
 29. The livestock productionbuilding of claim 28, further comprising a controller, said controllerin communication with said exhaust fan and said temperature sensor. 30.The livestock production building of claim 29, wherein said ventilationhouse includes a heat exchanger.
 31. The livestock production buildingof claim 30, wherein said ventilation house includes an inlet having anintake fan arranged to blow air through said heat exchanger.
 32. Thelivestock production building of claim 30, wherein said heat exchangerincludes a plurality of tubes and a plurality of brackets engaging saidtubes.
 33. The livestock production building of claim 30, furthercomprising a heat exchanger duct connecting said heat exchanger to saidmanifold area.
 34. The livestock production building of claim 22,further comprising a heater located in said manifold area.
 35. Thelivestock production building of claim 34 wherein said controller is incommunication with said intake fan and said heater.